Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-12-22
THE FIRST NIHILIsT.


Story Of the Would-Be Assassin Of Catlaa.
rine Ii. OF Russia.
The well-known German writer,
Sachcr- Masoch. gives in : recent mum.
Der of the Reuue P'litique ct Lit
teraire an interesting account OF
Tschoglolsoff. the first Nihilist He was
member of secret society which
succeeded the famous society of the
"Besimenje" or '.Anonymes." which
was formed in the reign of Peter I'LL
of Russia. This Emperor was an
ardent admirer of Frederick the Great
of Prussia, and was hated by many of
his subjects. not only on account OF
his incompetency as ruler. but chief
ly because of his efforts tn introduce.
especially into the army. German Off
GERS and customs. Although entrance
into the society could only be obtained
by enduring the severest proofs and
by taking terrible oath. it speedily
became very large. numbering among
its members persons from every rank.
FINALLY the wife of the Inflated Peter
himself was won, through the influence
of the beautiful Princess Daschkoff,
and the conspirators felt themselves
strong enough to attempt revolution.
In 1862. the Emperor was seized
and strangled. and his faithless wife
was seated upon the throne as the
Empress Catharine IL Although this
remarkable woman, born ruler. at
tempted honestly to carry out the
wishes of the society of the cam
onymes," which had given her the
crown. and. some of whose members
she appointed to high positions. she
did not satisfy the awakened hopes
of very many among the more en-
lightened Of her subjects. They
wanted far more than she was ready
10 grant, the abolition of serf-
dom. the community of goods,
communal self-government and the
free liberation of all religions--in
word. Slav republic. To accom-
plish these ends new secret society
was formed. chiefly of learned men.
doctors. government officials and
army officers.
A young Lieutenant of the Imperial
Guard. Tschoglokoff was one of its
most prominent members. Animated
with fcrvent. patriotic spirit. ener-
getlc AMI courageous. with a fine per-
sonal appearance and endowed with
high degree of natural eloquence. he
was eminently fitted to be popular
I'll H.,
situation in Russia, as viewed from his
standpoint. and managed to have a
copy put under a cushion on sofa in
the saloon of the Empress. When this
seemed to have no effect he deter
mined to kill Catharine. whose tyran-
ny he detestcd. 1t should be said.
however. that it is by no means i'm
possible that he was acting in Obedi-
ence to n command issued by his So
cietv. Onc night. when it was his duty
70 watch i'm the ante-chamber of the
Empress sleeping apartments. he en-
tered her bedroom. 1t was Catharine's
frequent habit to read in bed. and for
fun ately for herself she was doing so
at that time. and her room was fully
lighted. Seeing the young man enter
and draw his sword. she instantly
OWNED his purpose. sprang to her feet,
warded off the blow which he aimed at
her, seized and held him until assist
ancc came.
When put TO the torture. Tschoglo-
koff showed an indOmitablc fortitude
and refused to reveal the names of
his accomplicrs. On his way to the
place of execution he called upon the
people to revolt. and mounted the
scaffold with firm step and uncloud-
ed face. From the time of this at
tempt of the first Nihilist. Catharine
II. was the prey of constant fears.
Wisely. however. she endeavored
seriously TO accomplish some of the re-
formr which T>chcglokoff in his Me-
moir had advocated. although her eff
for's were utterly unsuccessful
through the passive resistance of tho
nobility and high officials. She took
measures 10 free the scrfS. She sum-
moned a kind of Parliament. chosen
froms the people. to meet at Moscow.
'that ancient city with thousand
and one domcs." 10 propose and dis
cuss the needed reforms Although
all her schemes failed. yet Catharine
did what no man who ever sat on the
Russian throne. before or since. has
ever dared to do. Apparently. the
blood of Tschoglokoff. the first Nihi-
list. was not shed in vain.- Youths
Companion.